Fran Kirmser and Tony Ponturo, producers of the football-centered Lombardi on Broadway, are behind Magic/Bird, which also has the participation of the National Basketball Association (and permission of Bird and Johnson).

Their creative team is David Korins (set), Howell Binkley (lighting), Paul Tazwell (costumes), Nevin Steinberg (sound) and Jeff Sugg (projections), "who will weave historic NBA film footage throughout the play," according to the producers.

O'Connell plays Georgia Bird/Shelly/Patricia Moore, Scolari plays Red Auerbach/Jerry Buss/Pat Riley, Manning Jr. plays Michael Cooper/Henry Alvarado/Frank, and Battiste plays Jon Lennox/Ron Baxter/Willy. Here's how the producers bill Magic/Bird: "At the heart of one of the fiercest rivalries in sports history, two of the greatest basketball players of all-time battled for three championships, bragging rights, and the future of their sport in the 1980s. Johnson and Bird electrified the nation on the court, reinvigorated the NBA, and turned their rivalry into one of the greatest and most famous friendships in professional sports."

Since landing the job, Daniels scoured "every bit of youtube footage" of Johnson, his games and his interviews, the actor said. Daniels is impressed with Johnson. "No matter what interview, he's always that same guy — relaxed and laid back, with a confidence," the actor said.